Anthrax outbreak in Mackenzie River bison – NWT

The worst outbreak of killer anthrax spores in the Northwest Territories in two decades has left 128 wood bison dead northwest of Fort Providence.

The decaying carcasses, spread over an area of 10 square kilometres, were spotted on a routine anthrax surveillance flight on July 3. A team went in and several of the dead animals field-tested positive for anthrax, a naturally occurring spore exacerbated by hot periods following extreme wetness.

As a precaution, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) has activated the Anthrax Emergency Response Plan. An ENR Incident Command team will be stationed in Fort Providence to deal with the potential outbreak.